Retreading
Based on the results of a feasibility study, German chemicals firm Lanxess has opted to convert its Triunfo factory in southern Brazil from the manufacture of emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (E-SBR), as used in standard tyres, to solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR), which is used in used in high-performance, green tyres. Lanxess notes that it is the first company to carry out such a conversion.
During a management meeting in late February, Marangoni CEO Massimo De Alessandri discussed the company’s recent performance. In terms of the economy, he described last year as a “very tough year in Europe and above all in Italy.” Despite these conditions, he reported a rise in profitability for the Marangoni group thanks to the performance of its core retreading and tyre industry machinery businesses.
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe has appointed Leszek Szafran as Director Retread Operations Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He will take over the position from Hubert Moquet, who retires after more than 34 years’ service with the company.
B&J Rocket has launched a long marketing programme, which the company hope will communicate that “loyalty pays off”. And it was with these words that Andreas Müller, managing director of B&J Rocket, kicked off the new Q-Plus global marketing campaign which stretches across the whole calendar year.
Italian family-run business Salvadori SRL, which was established in the 1980s, reports a growing global demand from customers. In order to satisfy this, and to combine its retreading and tyre recycling activities in the one location, the firm recently moved to new, larger headquarters and warehouse buildings. Furthermore, Salvadori has announced details of its investment in two brand new production projects, both of which are expected to boost the company’s competitiveness and the quality of its product/service portfolio. The stated primary aim of this investment is to offer customers retreading and tyre repair accessories that are both competitively-priced and, through the application of production and quality controls, products that the customer can rely upon.
At last September’s IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Germany, Hankook UK sales director Barrie Horrocks told Tyres & Accessories of plans to introduce a bead-to-bead retread range in 2013. He also shared that the UK would serve as a pilot market for the new truck tyre retread line, which will be marketed under the ‘Alphatread’ brand name. Hankook now reports it will unveil its first Alphatread products at the Birmingham-based Commercial Vehicle Show in April, ahead of their UK launch in the second quarter of 2013.
GT Radial has announced that it will debut its first all position urban city-bus tyre at its CV Show stand (A60) in Hall Five on 9-11 April at the Birmingham NEC. The GAU861 has a reinforced sidewall to improve curbing and impact damage resistance, the manufacturer says, while the new tyre will start with a 20.2mm tread depth. As well as promoting the new product, GT Radial says it will be presenting its commercial vehicle roadside service assistance programme, GT Assist, launched in December 2012.
US-based Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) retreader Allied Oil & Tire Company has reached the million-mark. The company, which is located in Omaha, Nebraska, opened the doors of its MRT plant in 1998, and upon celebrating the retreading of its one millionth commercial vehicle tyre plant manager Don Roberts commented that “this milestone speaks volumes about our commitment to customer satisfaction and producing industry-leading retreads.”
Nokian Tyres has introduced a new product into its Noktop range of retreading materials. The Finnish manufacturer describes the new Noktop 86 traction tread as offering “never before seen reliability for demanding earthmoving applications.” Elaborating on this bold statement, Nokian says the rubber compound used in the Noktop 86 provides “excellent puncture and cut protection under demanding conditions in mines and gravel pits where quarried rock presents an ever-challenging working environment.”
West Midlands tyre dealer Truck Tyre Solutions (TTS) reports securing a contract with one of the UK’s leading steel hauliers to supply Continental tyres as exclusive tyre fitment. Brierley Hill based A Hingley Transport runs a fleet of 80 top-weight tractor units and 180 trailers and specialises in the movement of steel as well as carrying out general haulage throughout the UK. The company is part of the AH Group, which also refurbishes trailers and builds new trailers, all of which will be fitted with Continental tyres as original equipment.
A high profile exhibitor and participant at this week’s Tire Technology Expo has been Lanxess. Senior personnel from the German specialty chemicals company were present at the Cologne-based show to share the role Lanxess products play in the manufacture of environmentally-friendly, label-friendly tyres.
A report recently released by the United States International Trade Commission gives an overview of the country’s retreading industry, a sector within the tyre business that appears to be benefitting from an improving US economy and a supply-demand imbalance within the new tyre sector.
Kraiburg Austria recently offered Turkish retreaders information on the introduction of the TSE-ECE 109 regulation in an event organised by Tatko Otomotive Istanbul. The distributor invited 40 customers who are affected by the implementation of the Turkish tyre labelling requirement. The Turkish retreaders have been given just six months to meet the requirements. Tatko has already been certified as conforming to TSE-ECE 109 for its own retreading business for three years.
Retreaders – whether small or large, industrial scale operations – can use the best processes, machinery and materials, but if the used casing isn’t good, then the finished retread won’t be any good either. The failure of a retreaded tyre when fitted to a customer’s vehicle is a worst case scenario for retreaders. Therefore, experts such as Stefan Dengler recommend that efforts be made to ensure high-end and comprehensive casing entry control. Visually inspecting casings is of course beneficial, however the SDS Systemtechnik managing director notes that even the most experienced casing inspector cannot see within a tyre. The most important technical aid in this area is shearography, something that every retreader can and should invest in.
The fact that Matteuzzi Srl has always been focused on international markets means that the company has no fear of the current financial crisis. While many Italian companies have pursued internationalisation in recent years as a lifeline out of the difficulties of the internal and European markets, Matteuzzi has been working this way since the early 1970s, making it a key part of its business. Today, with communications even easier thanks to the internet, the Bologna-based company exports 95 per cent of its production and offers customers an English-language website.
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